Topeka Buzz 🐝
Monday, March 16, 2026
Top Stories
HB 2793, requested by Rep. Sean Tarwater (R-Stilwell), passed the House 79-41-5 Tuesday, creating the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority—a new state political subdivision designed to own, finance, build, and manage a professional football stadium. The bill is the enabling legislation required under the December 2025 STAR bond agreement between the state and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The authority would be governed by an 11-member board: seven appointed by legislative leaders, the Secretary of Commerce, a Chiefs representative, and two mayors of cities where a sports facility is located. It can issue special obligation bonds, acquire property, enter contracts, and grant leases that let the team retain most event revenues—including ticket sales, naming rights, concessions, and broadcast revenue. Authority property is exempt from property and sales taxes under a declaration that it is "exclusively used for state purposes."
But the bill that passed isn't quite the bill that was introduced. Three floor amendments addressed some of the sharpest criticisms. One subjected the authority to the Kansas Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act and hard-limited its scope to the NFL only—any contract with another professional sport is "null and void." A second expanded the board from nine to 11 members by converting city mayors from nonvoting ex officio seats to full voting members—a direct response to concerns about local accountability when the authority's tax exemptions affect city revenue. A third barred public funds from paying the executive director's salary, requiring compensation to come exclusively from team rents.
Even with those additions, a bipartisan group of 41 members voted no. The authority remains exempt from competitive bidding requirements, the state civil service system, and the administrative procedures act. Critics argue that a facility generating hundreds of millions in private revenue shouldn't enjoy permanent property tax exemptions, and that the authority's broad powers still lack sufficient legislative oversight. Supporters counter that public ownership is structurally necessary for the STAR bond financing to work and that the bill includes annual reporting to legislative committees, mandatory independent audits, and a requirement that the team assume all obligations if it leaves.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
SGO Tax Credit Expansion Clears Both Chambers, Heads to Governor
The scholarship tax credit expansion first covered in the February 13 edition of the Buzz has completed its legislative journey. HB 2468 passed the Senate 27-12-1 Monday, then returned to the House for a final vote Tuesday, passing 76-44-5.
The bill opts Kansas into the federal scholarship contribution tax credit created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and doubles the state's annual SGO tax credit cap from $10 million to $20 million. If credits claimed exceed 75% of the cap in any year, the ceiling automatically increases by 25% the following year, up to a maximum of $30 million. Key changes take effect for tax years beginning after 2026.
The revenue impact is significant: up to $10 million more per year in foregone state revenue at the $20 million cap, and up to $20 million more if the cap reaches its ceiling. The Senate vote—27-12—was notably more lopsided than the original House passage on February 13, which was 70-49, suggesting the bill picked up support (or lost opponents) as it moved through the process. The final House vote of 76-44 was somewhat more comfortable than the initial passage.
The bill now heads to Governor Kelly's desk. Whether she signs it will test the political math of school choice in an election year.
Defend the Guard Act Fails Decisively
HB 2188, the "Defend the Guard Act," failed its final vote in the House 36-86-3 Tuesday. The bill would have barred the Kansas National Guard from being released into active duty combat unless Congress issues a formal declaration of war or explicitly calls the Guard under its constitutional authority. The vote broke largely along party lines, with only minimal crossover in either direction. Supporters framed the measure as a constitutional check on undeclared military deployments; opponents argued it would create unworkable friction with federal mobilization authorities and could jeopardize the state's relationship with the Department of Defense. The 36 yes votes fell well short of the 63 needed for passage.
The Friday Crush—Three Days to Move a Mountain of Bills
Friday, March 20 is the last day non-exempt bills can be considered this session, and both chambers are staring at calendars that read like legislative phone books.
The House General Orders calendar alone runs to nearly 60 bills, including three proposed constitutional amendments: SCR 1603 (cap property tax valuation increases), HCR 5006 (right to bear arms under strict scrutiny), and HCR 5021 (require voter photo ID). Constitutional amendments need two-thirds in both chambers to reach the ballot—a higher bar than normal passage.
Beyond the amendments, the House must work through SB 1 (end daylight saving time, contingent on Missouri), SB 339 (30 minutes of daily recess and 60 minutes of physical activity for K-5 students), SB 381 (civics exam graduation requirement plus curriculum on communist, fascist, and socialist regimes), SB 459 (overhaul the Prisoner Review Board), SB 418 (by-right housing development act), SB 231 (move municipal elections to even-numbered years), HB 2771 (immigration enforcement detainers), a stack of tax credit bills, and dozens more.
The Senate side is equally packed. Its General Orders include SB 522 (the Kansas Medical Freedom Act, barring entities from conditioning access or employment on medical interventions like vaccines, tests, or masks), HB 2444 (presumptive prison for new felonies committed while on supervision, with bond restrictions and a noncitizen flight-risk presumption), HB 2729 and HB 2727 (abortion-related bills on KDHE forms and woman's-right-to-know remedies), HB 2402 (require school boards to consider the Community Eligibility Provision for free meals), SB 517 (expanded literacy requirements including mandatory reading specialists by 2029-30), HB 2700 (digital right-to-repair), and HB 2343 (statewide protections for home-based businesses). The Senate also has concurrence votes on five bills the House amended, including H Sub SB 366 (distracted driving ban in school and construction zones).
And then there's the FIFA World Cup package: HCR 5031 ratifies the governor's disaster emergency declaration for the tournament's impact on Douglas, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties, while SB 393 would let bars and restaurants sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. during the tournament window of June 11 through July 19.
Not everything on these calendars will make it through. Bills that don't clear General Orders by Friday are effectively dead for the session unless they're exempt—and the political triage over the next 72 hours will determine which of these measures survive. Watch for floor leadership to signal priorities as early as today's session.
New Bills Introduced
Senate
🐝🐝 SB 536: Ends new high-performance income tax credits for qualifying investments made on or after January 1, 2027 and replaces them with a rebate issued by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The rebate is capped at 5% of the qualifying investment, paid in five equal annual installments, limited to $5 million per project, non-transferable, and stops if the business closes or is sold.
House
🐝 HB 2799: Requires every person to take a state-prescribed oath before giving testimony to any Kansas legislative committee. Committee chairs would administer the oath and note it in the minutes. Mainly procedural with little fiscal impact.
HR 6040: Commemorating the life and service of Representative John Resman.
HR 6039: Recognizing and honoring SparkWheel for its outstanding service on Kansas youth and families.
HR 6038: Recognizing Real Men Real Leaders for its dedication and work in providing Kansas youth with leadership education and opportunities.
HR 6037: Providing for the assignment of seats in the House of Representatives for the 2026 legislative session.
Floor Votes
Tuesday, March 17
House (13)
HB 2793: PASS — Passage (79 Yes, 41 No, 5 Absent). Creates the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority to own, finance, build, and manage professional football stadiums. See Top Stories.
HB 2468: PASS — Final Vote (76 Yes, 44 No, 5 Absent). Opts Kansas into federal scholarship tax credit and doubles state SGO cap from $10 million to $20 million. See Top Stories.
HB 2188: FAIL — Final Vote (36 Yes, 86 No, 3 Absent). The "Defend the Guard Act" would have barred the Kansas National Guard from active duty combat without a congressional declaration of war. See Top Stories.
HB 2212: PASS — Concurrence (118 Yes, 2 No, 5 Absent). Lets the governor issue a temporary "extraordinary event" proclamation when a very large event overwhelms local services. Proclamation lasts up to 15 days; the LCC can extend up to 90 days. Sunsets July 1, 2027.
HB 2798: PASS — Passage (111 Yes, 12 No, 2 Absent). Gives Board of Regents universities the power to sign contracts, buy goods, and grant easements under Board-approved policies instead of some statewide rules.
SB 358: PASS — Passage (109 Yes, 14 No, 2 Absent). Requires people convicted of specified serious felonies to be held without bond between conviction and sentencing.
SB 366: PASS — Passage (116 Yes, 7 No, 2 Absent). Bans handheld phone use in school zones and construction zones. Warning citations until July 1, 2027; $60 fine after that.
SB 382: PASS — Passage (111 Yes, 12 No, 2 Absent). Lets full-time virtual K-12 students take statewide assessments online with camera monitoring, browser lockdown, and a 10:1 proctor ratio. Also expands the "special teacher" definition for special education aid.
SB 361: PASS — Passage (114 Yes, 9 No, 2 Absent). Lets foreign exchange students living with a Kansas host family enroll in the host family's resident school and exempts them from the open-seat lottery.
SB 473: PASS — Passage (121 Yes, 2 No, 2 Absent). Transfers about 30 acres in Wabaunsee County from the Kansas State Historical Society to Audubon of Kansas for public recreation.
SB 321: PASS — Passage (123 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). Names the I-35/U.S. 69 interchange in Johnson County the Representative Robert M. Tomlinson memorial interchange bridge and designates a bridge on I-135 in Sedgwick County the Don Snyder memorial bridge.
SB 427: PASS — Passage (123 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). Lets the chair and vice chair of the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee review KBI background checks and tax certifications for nominees to state offices.
SB 396: PASS — Passage (122 Yes, 1 No, 2 Absent). Lets the Clearwater cemetery district in Sedgwick County remove Ohio Township and reorganize its board.
Senate (10)
HB 2468: PASS — Final Vote (27 Yes, 12 No, 1 Absent). SGO tax credit expansion. See Top Stories.
HB 2533: PASS — Passage (38 Yes, 2 No). Enacts the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, letting OTs and OTAs licensed in member states practice across state lines including by telehealth.
HB 2622: PASS — Passage (40 Yes, 0 No). Lowers the protest petition threshold from 5% to 3% of qualified voters for certain municipal lease-purchase agreements.
SB 513: PASS — Passage (39 Yes, 1 No). Directs DCF to build or buy a statewide child care subsidy management and direct payment system. Requires an RFI by January 1, 2027 and a cost report by June 30, 2027.
SB 415: PASS — Passage (37 Yes, 3 No). Lets tenants use the Kansas Consumer Protection Act when a government agency officially deems a rental unit uninhabitable due to a landlord's intentional act or failure to act.
HB 2761: PASS — Passage (38 Yes, 2 No). Creates statewide licensure for speech-language pathology assistants with education requirements, 100 hours of supervised fieldwork, and minimum 10% direct supervision.
HB 2519: PASS — Final Vote (40 Yes, 0 No). Extends several expiring Kansas Open Records Act exceptions including emergency contact info, child death review records, and elder abuse team materials.
HB 2511: PASS — Final Vote (40 Yes, 0 No). Lets Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks use agricultural production revenue from one state property for habitat management on any state property it controls.
HB 2099: PASS — Passage (37 Yes, 3 No). Lets the Secretary of Corrections transfer a parcel in Leavenworth County to Leavenworth County at no cost, subject to attorney general review.
HB 2471: PASS — Passage (40 Yes, 0 No). Renames a portion of I-35 in Franklin County as the Deputy Sam Smith Memorial Highway.
HB 2615: PASS — Passage (40 Yes, 0 No). Names a portion of U.S. Highway 75 in Montgomery County the Brig Gen George H. Wark memorial highway.
Monday, March 16
House (2)
HB 2781: PASS — Passage (117 Yes, 1 No, 7 Absent). Lets the Kansas State Historical Society acquire the junior officers' quarters at Fort Dodge and establish it as a state historical landmark.
SB 358: FAIL — Amendment (33 Yes, 84 No, 8 Absent). A failed amendment to SB 358 (mandatory post-conviction detention for serious felonies). The underlying bill later passed on Tuesday.
Senate (1)
HB 2468: PASS — Final Vote (27 Yes, 12 No, 1 Absent). SGO tax credit expansion. See Top Stories.
Committee Actions
Bills Reported Out
Agriculture and Natural Resources
SB 390 (substitute bill be passed): Starting 2027-28, bars K-12 schools from serving reimbursable or free/reduced-price meals containing specified additives including certain color dyes, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and titanium dioxide. Schools must certify compliance during inspections. Also says pesticide labels matching the latest federal human health assessment satisfy Kansas labeling requirements.
HB 2462 (bill be passed as amended): Directs KDHE to create statewide rules by July 1, 2028 allowing treated wastewater to be used as drinking water through both direct and indirect potable reuse. Does not force any community to adopt reuse.
HB 2114 (bill be passed as amended): Updates Kansas dam and water obstruction rules. Raises permit fees, creates new pre- and post-construction fees, requires licensed engineer inspections, and adds civil penalties of $100–$1,000 per violation.
SB 407 (bill be passed): Lets KDHE adopt two specific permanent rules on hazardous waste monitoring and permit application fees.
HB 2111 (substitute bill be passed): Bars cities and counties from enforcing building codes and most local ordinances at qualifying invitation-only agritourism locations where only agricultural activity takes place.
Appropriations
HB 2543 (bill be passed as amended): Requires the State General Fund to reimburse KDWP for revenue lost when the Legislature creates free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses on or after July 1, 2027, subject to appropriation.
Assessment and Taxation
HB 2769 (bill be passed): Requires all appointed voting members of subordinate service taxing area boards to live within the taxing area when the board can levy property taxes or set budgets.
HB 2440 (bill be passed): Removes the requirement for oil lease owners to file exemption requests through the county appraiser and Board of Tax Appeals.
HB 2470 (bill be passed): Lets municipalities under 10,000 residents designate the whole city as a neighborhood revitalization area.
SB 521 (bill be passed as amended): Expands employer tax credits for child care expenses to 75% of qualifying costs, creates a new credit for donations to third parties expanding licensed child care, and raises the per-taxpayer cap to $100,000. Statewide cap stays at $3 million. Takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 2464 (bill be passed as amended): Extends the deadline for aerospace and aviation income tax credits from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2029.
Commerce
HB 2739 (bill be passed as amended): Stops cities and counties from requiring fire sprinkler systems in multi-family dwellings or townhouses of four units or fewer for projects approved after July 1, 2026. Sets fire-separation standards as an alternative.
HB 2700 (bill be passed as amended): Creates a Kansas digital right-to-repair law requiring manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, and tools to owners and independent shops for covered electronics ($50+ wholesale). Takes effect July 1, 2027. Only the AG may enforce; private lawsuits barred.
HB 2602 (bill be passed as amended): Lets independent contractors choose third-party "portable benefit" accounts for health, disability, retirement, and other benefits. Creates state income tax subtractions for qualifying contributions starting tax year 2027.
HB 2343 (bill be passed as amended): Creates statewide protections for qualifying low-impact home-based businesses, letting owners operate without municipal permits or rezoning. Municipal regulations limited to narrowly tailored health, safety, and tax purposes.
SB 393 (bill be passed as amended): Temporarily expands alcohol sales hours during the FIFA 2026 World Cup (June 11–July 19) from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Cities and counties may opt out by resolution.
HB 2466 (bill be passed as amended): Extends the angel investor tax credit through 2031 and requires that starting in 2027, at least 25% of credits go to businesses in counties of 50,000 or fewer.
Corrections and Juvenile Justice
SB 459 (bill be passed as amended): Strengthens victim notice and participation rules for parole hearings on off-grid and class A felonies. Expands the Prisoner Review Board from three to five members and shifts appointment power to the Governor (three) and Attorney General (two). Current members' terms end July 1, 2026.
SB 487 (bill be passed as amended): Directs KBI to create a single statewide offender registration system. Adds a technology fee capped at $10. Starting July 1, 2028, periodic fees are paid only in the county of residence.
SB 374 (bill be passed as amended): Changes how Kansas handles defendants unable to stand trial for serious felonies. Default becomes inpatient evaluation and treatment at state hospitals. Creates a formal hearing process for involuntary medication.
Education
SB 340 (bill be passed as amended): Removes corequisite remedial instruction from allowable expenses under the Kansas Promise Scholarship.
SB 406 (bill be passed as amended): Creates a Kansas process for approving short-term workforce training programs for federal Workforce Pell Grants.
SB 384 (bill be passed): Moves the public innovative district application deadline from December 1 to May 1, shortens state board review to 45 days, and auto-approves applications if the board doesn't act within that window.
SB 381 (bill be passed as amended): Directs the State Board to create curriculum on communist, fascist, and socialist regimes. Requires a 100-question American civics exam (80% to pass) for graduation starting with students entering 9th grade on or after July 1, 2026.
SB 339 (bill be passed as amended): Requires K-5 students to get at least 30 minutes of organized recess and 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on school days longer than five hours. Bars taking away physical activity as punishment. Creates a Kansas physical fitness test aligned with presidential standards.
SB 517 (bill be passed as amended): Expands state literacy rules. Requires individual literacy plans for high-risk K-3 students with at least 90 minutes per week of targeted intervention. Districts must hire a licensed reading specialist per elementary school by 2029-30. Bans discredited methods like three-cueing in educator prep programs.
HB 2485 (bill be passed as amended): Lets community and technical colleges contract with districts to offer college courses in high schools. Sets a standard teaching payment of $600 per credit hour in 2026-27.
HB 2402 (substitute bill be passed): Requires school boards to annually assess CEP eligibility and vote to adopt it unless the district demonstrates financial hardship. KSDE must provide technical assistance.
HB 2487 (bill be passed): Defines "employed in Kansas as a teacher or paraprofessional" for the Kansas education opportunity scholarship.
SB 496 (bill be passed as amended): Requires postsecondary institutions to provide yearly training on free speech, association, and religion rules. The AG may bring civil action for noncompliance.
HB 2374 (bill be passed): Creates a specialty practice student loan program at KU School of Medicine. Loans cover tuition plus up to $2,000/month for students who commit to full-time practice in underserved areas.
Federal and State Affairs
SB 452 (bill be passed as amended): Creates "unlawful approach of a first responder" as a class B person misdemeanor for knowingly approaching within 25 feet after a warning. Extends the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include federal officers working in Kansas.
SB 502 (bill be passed): Lets the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission approve permanent administrative rules for sports wagering.
SB 1 (bill be passed): Kansas would stop switching clocks for daylight saving time if Missouri passes a similar opt-out. If Congress requires year-round DST, Kansas would move to permanent central daylight saving time.
HB 2018 (substitute bill be passed): Creates "interference with the conduct of a religious assembly" covering force, threats, or physical obstruction at places of worship. Felony penalties; victims can sue for up to three times actual damages.
HB 2727 (bill be passed): Lets plaintiffs suing under the woman's-right-to-know act choose capped damages ($5,000 plus reimbursement plus attorney fees) and bypass the medical malpractice screening panel.
HB 2729 (bill be passed): Requires KDHE to provide standard forms for 24-hour informed consent in abortion care, mandates clinic signage about mifepristone reversal, and requires monthly reporting. Fines up to $10,000/day for noncompliance.
SB 364 (bill be passed as amended): Requires KDWP to offer a discounted senior combination hunting and fishing license for residents 65+ and expands the kids lifetime license to ages 6-15.
SB 260 (substitute bill be passed): The Born to Invest Act lets the State Treasurer receive birth-certificate data to send families information about federal child accounts, 529 plans, and ABLE accounts.
Financial Institutions and Insurance
HB 2497 (bill be passed as amended): Bars prepayment penalties on residential mortgage loans paid off more than six months after signing.
HB 2515 (bill be passed as amended): Regulates virtual currency kiosks with disclosure requirements, fraud detection, fee caps, holding periods, and live customer service.
HB 2591 (bill be passed as amended): Lets Kansas financial institutions report suspected financial exploitation of adults, notify a trusted contact, and place a temporary hold on transactions. Provides good-faith immunity.
Government Efficiency
SB 376 (bill be passed): Redefines "antique slot machine" with a rolling 50-year standard—a machine qualifies if manufactured at least 50 years before the alleged offense.
HB 2574 (bill be passed): Updates Kansas cybersecurity rules. Creates IT oversight councils for legislative and judicial branches, requires agency assessments, mandates 12-hour breach notification to the CISO, and links cybersecurity progress to budget reviews.
Higher Education Budget
HB 2798 (substitute bill be passed): Gives Regents universities autonomy over contracts, purchasing, and easements under Board-approved policies.
Judiciary
HB 2537 (bill be passed): Raises penalties for sexual extortion of minors or dependent adults by offenders 18+. Creates aggravated offenses when extortion causes great bodily harm or death. Covers AI-generated images.
SB 478 (bill be passed as amended): Creates specific offense for assaulting utility or communications workers. Bars utilities from authorizing law enforcement cameras on poles for more than 60 days without a warrant.
HB 2747 (bill be passed): Requires courts to use specific statutory factors when deciding whether out-of-state DUI priors count as comparable to Kansas DUI offenses.
HB 2521 (bill be passed as amended): Treats child placement agencies with DCF contracts as part of the state under the Kansas Tort Claims Act for incidents on or after July 1, 2026.
HB 2613 (bill be passed as amended): Moves sexual assault forensic exam fee-setting and payment from counties to the Crime Victims Compensation Board. Victims and their insurers still cannot be billed.
HB 2527 (bill be passed as amended): Bans adult registered sex offenders—when their offense involved a victim under 18—from entering school property or attending school activities. Escalating felony penalties.
HB 2651 (bill be passed as amended): Lets people who signed voluntary paternity acknowledgments ask a court to revoke them after discovering fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. Genetic test results excluding the signatory father support a finding of mistake.
SB 408 (bill be passed as amended): Narrows when a child can be called "in need of care" for parent-permitted, age-appropriate independent activities. Requires DCF to refer cases with a military parent to military family advocacy services. Also changes rules for challenging voluntary paternity acknowledgments.
HB 2595 (bill be passed as amended): Creates the Attorney Training Program for Rural Kansas with student stipends up to $3,000/year and loan repayment up to $20,000/year for attorneys practicing outside the five largest metro counties. Sunsets July 1, 2031.
HB 2639 (bill be passed as amended): Renames juvenile crisis intervention centers as juvenile stabilization centers. Allows police, courts, and intake workers to refer youth. Stays up to 30 days. Transfers $4 million to DCF for the program.
HB 2601 (bill be passed as amended): Creates a state child abuse and neglect registry run by DCF. Requires notice and an independent hearing before placement. Mandatory review after 20 years.
HB 2444 (bill be passed as amended): Makes new felonies committed while on probation, parole, or postrelease supervision presumptive prison for criminal history scores A-E, to run consecutively. Creates minimum secured bond amounts for certain supervised defendants. Presumes certain noncitizens are a flight risk.
HB 2593 (bill be passed as amended): Requires local governments to hold a public meeting before approving contingency-fee legal contracts. AG gets 45 days to approve or deny. Expires July 1, 2031.
Local Government, Transparency and Ethics
HB 2539 (bill be passed as amended): Lets any library district put to voters whether board members should be elected instead of appointed. Requires Eudora to adopt a joint resolution to elect its library directors.
HB 2571 (substitute bill be passed): Raises the threshold for public bidding on county construction contracts from $25,000 to $100,000.
Public Health and Welfare
SB 522 (bill be passed as amended): The Kansas Medical Freedom Act bars public and private entities from conditioning access, participation, or employment on a person's use or nonuse of vaccines, drugs, masks, tests, devices, or monitors. AG investigates; civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation.
HB 2536 (bill be passed): Requires proposed guardians for adults with cognitive impairment or neurological conditions to complete KDADS-approved training before appointment. Courts may waive.
HB 2520 (bill be passed): Increases the home plus adult care home resident cap from 12 to 16. Homes over 12 residents must maintain written plans for meeting needs and staff must complete annual dementia training.
HB 2524 (bill be passed): Lets family foster homes keep their license when a former DCF-placed resident ages out (18-25) and still lives in the home. Creates an administrative appeal for denied licenses.
HB 2509 (bill be passed as amended): Adds advanced practice registered nurses to the Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability Act. APRNs must carry minimum malpractice coverage and join the Healthcare Stabilization Fund by January 1, 2028.
Senate Select Committee on Veterans Affairs
HB 2627 (bill be passed as amended): Lets private employers voluntarily extend hiring preference to Kansas-resident National Guard and Reserve members and their spouses.
HB 2214 (bill be passed): Creates rules for paid assistance with veterans benefits. Bans referral fees, caps contingency fees, requires disclosure that the business is not affiliated with the VA, and tightens data-handling requirements.
HB 2626 (bill be passed as amended): Expands Kansas government hiring preference to include current Guard and Reserve members stationed in Kansas plus eligible spouses.
Taxation
HB 2036 (bill be passed as amended): Lets eligible Kansas taxpayers subtract active-duty armed forces compensation from state taxable income, capped at senior enlisted pay levels. Takes effect for tax years after December 31, 2025.
SB 402 (bill be passed as amended): Changes Kansas property tax relief for homeowners, especially seniors and disabled people. Switches to Kansas AGI for the income test, raises appraisal limits from $350,000 to $375,000, increases the refundable property tax amount from $700 to $1,000, and limits the SAFESR credit to taxpayers born before 1961.
HB 2797 (bill be passed as amended): Lets businesses round cash transactions to the nearest nickel. Does not change sales price, tax owed, or fees.
Transportation
HB 2553 (bill be passed as amended): Creates an optional PBS Kansas specialty license plate starting January 1, 2027. Annual $25-$100 royalty distributed to local public TV stations.
HB 2522 (bill be passed as amended): Bans handheld phone use in school zones and road construction zones. Warning citations until July 1, 2027; $60 fine after. Allows new flashing light colors on work vehicles.
Water
SB 184 (bill be passed as amended): Changes how Kansas funds drycleaning contamination cleanup. Sets the environmental surcharge at 3% now with automatic increases to 5% by 2029. Raises the cleanup reimbursement deductible from $5,000 to $10,000.
Bills Re-referred
Federal and State Affairs
HB 2678: Creates a Kansas medical cannabis program. Qualifying patients could register for ID cards. Funded by fees and an 8% excise tax earmarked for housing, child care, mental health, and local development.
HB 2679: Creates adult-use cannabis legalization. Adults 21+ could buy from licensed retailers. 8% excise tax; Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control would handle licensing.
HB 2692: Sets statewide conduct standards for ICE agents in Kansas including visible ID, marked vehicles, and a ban on sensitive-location raids without a judicial warrant.
Health and Human Services
HB 2244: Prevents the Board of Pharmacy from limiting telepharmacy based on population size or distance. Restructures the board to seven members starting January 1, 2026.
SB 360: Expands PBM regulation. Requires PBM reporting on rebates, sets a reimbursement floor at NADAC plus a dispensing fee, bans spread pricing, and requires most rebates to lower patient costs at the point of sale.
HB 2785: Renames the unused medication law as the "medication donation program." Sets rules for clinics and pharmacies accepting donated drugs. Caps handling fees at $20 per prescription.
HB 2551: Creates state oversight of pharmacy services administrative organizations (PSAOs) with licensing, ownership disclosures, and contract transparency requirements.
Insurance
HB 2157: Adds COVID-19 to conditions Kansas pharmacists may initiate therapy for under a statewide protocol.
HB 2695: Requires prescribers to give parents of children on KanCare any FDA medication guide and get written informed consent before prescribing psychotropic drugs. KDHE must create an adverse reaction reporting system.
HB 2100: Lets pharmacists initiate HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Board must issue a statewide protocol; good-faith immunity for pharmacists.
SB 431: Lets pharmacies employ staff to do pharmacy work from remote locations on employer-provided secure devices with supervision and audit requirements.
SB 328: Lets pharmacists distribute stock epinephrine auto-injectors to K-12 schools holding a prescription in the school's name.
HB 2369: Shifts pharmacist vaccination authority to a written protocol-based system. Lists certain vaccines pharmacists cannot give unless protocols allow.
HB 2296: Eliminates patient cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast cancer exams when medically needed under Kansas-regulated plans.
Interstate Cooperation
HB 2600: Creates the Affordable Healthcare for Kansans program expanding Medicaid to adults under 65 at or below 138% FPL starting January 1, 2027.
HB 2375: The HAWK Act expands Medicaid starting January 1, 2026 with employment verification, tiered benefits, and a 90% federal match trigger. Ends coverage if the match drops below 90%.
HCR 5026: Constitutional amendment adding "life from conception" to the equal and inalienable natural rights in Section 1 of the Kansas Bill of Rights. Requires two-thirds of both chambers to reach the ballot.
HB 2010: Near-total abortion ban with narrow exceptions. Creates separate felony for destroying a fertilized embryo in assisted reproduction. Severity level 1 person felony.
HB 2009: Bans nearly all abortions; enforced by private civil lawsuits with $10,000 minimum damages. No government enforcement. Bars mifepristone for abortions that violate the ban.
SB 284: Bars drug manufacturers from restricting 340B drug delivery to covered entities. AG can investigate and impose fines up to $50,000 per violation.
Taxation
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